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Unit 7—Handout 1
Survivor Testimony of Geng Zhun, Forced Labor Survivor and
Leader of Hanaoka Uprising, Interviewed in 2006
Had you negotiated for better relations in the camp?
Yes, twice. Once after our fi rst request, we received horse bones for soup, but it had little effect because
we were starving. We were frustrated, but we were determined to live because we wanted to return to our wives
and families. Over time, Kajima (the Japanese company he was working for as a forced laborer) increased the
harshness of the treatment. The quality of the food worsened.
Were there any doctors or death certifi cates?
Despite the presence of medical clinic, there was really no medical service. People were sick because they
were starved and overworked. Kajima then started to make it even worse by having the prisoners work 16
hours a day. Even in death there was no honor; bodies were cremated all together.
Why was there an uprising?
The idea for the Hanaoka Uprising was initiated in March, 1945. By then, there were very poor conditions
in the camp. Forced laborers were eating roots and leaves to survive. Many were killed because these were
often poisonous. Added to starvation was the torture. Prisoners were hit with a whip made of ox genitals.
This was seen as a great injustice and a major insult to the Chinese people. It was an affront to our dignity. At
this point, our motivation was to protect the dignity of the Chinese people. We understood that this would
be a last stand. We knew the chances of any success were slim. Japan is an island nation. Our plan was to
retreat to the shore and then commit suicide there.
How did you communicate in the camp?
It was a great challenge because we were constantly watched over, but at noon we would have a ten
minute break. This was an opportunity to smoke. The Japanese supplied us with cigarettes, but matches were
scarce so we would save them and light our cigarettes off of others. During these exchanges, some of the
prisoners told me that they could not endure this anymore, that they would follow me and jump into fi re if
they needed to.
Why did the Japanese people in Hanaoka consider the uprising just, as shown by the town’s decision to establish a monument
for the Hanaoka prisoners?
The uprising was originally planned for June 27, but it was changed. We had two Japanese overseers who
were kind to us (one was nineteen years old and the other was forty-fi ve). We found out that those two were
supposed to be working on June 27. We knew that overseers would be killed in the uprising and we didn’t
want to kill these kind people. So, despite the risk, we delayed the day of the uprising.
We had three younger prisoners fi nd out what day these overseers would not be working. They found out
that it was June 30, so we decided to do it on the day. The delay was dangerous because it meant there was a
higher likelihood that word would get out.
When the people of Hanaoka found that out, they were impressed that we did not kill indiscriminately.
Also, we were an uprising of prisoners with nothing to use against Japanese guards with guns.
What happened when your colleagues in prison visited you?
After the uprising, the Chinese prisoners were sent back to the camp and I was sent to prison. There
were rumors that I was executed. The U.S. occupying troops eventually liberated the camp and at that time,
the Hanaoka prisoners were told that I was still alive and in Akida prison. I was told that I had to stay there
because of the pending war crimes tribunals, but I did have relative freedom in the prison after that time.
When my fellow prisoners heard that I was still alive and in prison, they came to visit me. They told me
that China was one of the victors and that they were now much better off. The Chinese laborers could go out
of the work-site. I was worried that the Chinese prisoners, who were full of anger, might avenge the Japanese
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